Oregon’s only oceanfront casino offers a lot more than gambling
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Oregon’s only oceanfront casino is a lot of other things, too.
The Chinook Winds Casino Resort is also one of Oregon’s best and biggest oceanfront hotels, for example, as well as one of the coast’s biggest event venues. It’s also home to a surprisingly dense collection of dining options in the heart of Lincoln City.
Of course, it’s not the only casino on the Oregon coast. Of Oregon’s nine tribe-run casinos, four are found on the Oregon coast, with a fifth found in the Coast Range nearby. Each offers its own assortment of amenities, but Chinook Winds is the only one that can boast ocean beach access.
Managed by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the casino has been around since 1995, and today features a 157,000-square-foot gaming floor, as well as a 243-room hotel. Located on the north end of Lincoln City on the central Oregon coast, the casino is about a two-hour drive from Portland and a one-hour drive from Salem, along highways that pass through the Willamette Valley and over the forested Coast Range (and right past the Spirit Mountain Casino, managed by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde).
As with most Oregon casinos, gambling, while the main attraction, isn’t the only draw. Chinook Winds is a place for travelers to rest, eat or catch a show. It’s a place to stay the weekend with great access not only to the beach but to the shops and attractions nearby. For those touring Lincoln City, it’s certainly a place worth visiting.
Here’s what to see while you’re there:
The Chinook Winds casino offers more than 1,100 modern slot machines spread out across the casino floor, as well as a bank of machines in the high limit area. The casino also offers sports betting, Keno and table games including blackjack, Texas hold ‘em, roulette, craps and more. Just off the main floor is a spacious 600-seat bingo hall.
There are several places to grab a bite to eat at Chinook Winds, whether you’re looking to gamble or not. On the upper floor of the casino, you’ll find the more upscale Rogue River Steakhouse and Lounge, with tableside views of the ocean, as well as the Siletz Bay Buffet, which is open Wednesday through Sunday with a seafood buffet every Friday. Downstairs by the gaming area is a cafeteria that serves sandwiches, burritos, burgers and more. There’s also the Chinook’s Seafood Grill, another more upscale spot with ocean views, housed in the neighboring hotel.
The Chinook Winds Hotel boasts 243 rooms, including 160 oceanfront rooms, 61 of which are suites with fireplaces. A nearby beach access point allows a path down onto the sand, and a sidewalk leads a short way to the casino. As of June 2024, rates range from $79 to $319 per night. There’s also an RV parking area near the hotel, though staying there requires a parking permit and a Winners Circle Membership.
The beach beside Chinook Winds runs about four miles between Cascade Head to the north and D River in the heart of Lincoln City to the south. There are dedicated beach access points on either side of the hotel, as well as an access on Northwest 50th Street a few blocks to the north. A little farther north is Road’s End State Recreation Site, a developed beachside state park with a parking lot, picnic tables and a restroom.
Chinook Winds hosts a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, standup comedy and mixed martial arts. The casino also hosts community events such as this summer’s Surf City Classic Car Show and the Beach, Bacon & Brews festival. Here are the concerts coming to Chinook Winds this summer.
The Chinook Winds Golf Resort, found just up the highway, features 18 holes over 4,547 yards. The course is built along natural wetlands and coastal forest at the base of Cascade Head. Golfers can play 9 holes for $27-$32 or 18 holes for $37-$42. The golf course also hosts occasional tournaments and other events throughout the year.
Kids, while not allowed on the casino floor, are welcome in the Chinook Winds Arcade, which is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The arcade features modern games, such as immersive virtual reality experiences, alongside old classics such as Skee-Ball. Points won on games can be exchanged for prizes. Food and beverage vending machines are available in the arcade. Kids under the age of 16 are required to be accompanied by an adult.
--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.
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